Leveler, Leveler Composition and Method for Electrodeposition of Metals in Microelectronics

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a leveling compound for electrodepositing metals. The compound is of formula (I) or a salt thereof:

This application is a continuation-in-part of international application PCT/CN2014/095492, filed Dec. 30, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to electroplating, electroplating additives, method of electroplating, metal plating; and the use of additives in an electrolytic deposition chemistry, and a method for depositing metal or metal alloys; and more specifically to leveler additives for use in an electrolytic deposition chemistry, and a method for copper metallization in printed wiring board (PWB), semiconductor integrated circuits, microelectromechanic systems (MEMS), surface mount technology (SMT), connectors, base station, light emitting diode (LED), and molded interconnection devices (MID); and even more specifically to leveler additives for use in an copper electrolytic deposition chemistry for semiconductor chip interconnection, and three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC).

BACKGROUND

Metallic copper is an excellent material for chip interconnection due to its advantages such as good electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, low melting point and extensibility. Copper plating is a method of choice for chip interconnection. However, with continued minimization of the chip line width, it becomes harder and harder to deposit copper metal lines without defects. A defect-free copper plating is achieved by integrating seamlessly the plating chemistry, plating tool, and semiconductor chips.

The challenges in acid copper plating have always been: 1) leveling effect, 2) said leveling effect over a wide range of aspect ratio (depth:width) preferably found on the same die, 3) achieving the desirable leveling effect at high current densities therefore increasing the manufacturing throughput, 4) levelers that are non-toxic, environmental friendly, 5) levelers that are easily analyzable by conventional means so their concentrations can be monitored and controlled in a plating bath, and 6) minimizing by-products which often have detrimental effect on bath stability. The quality of the leveler in an acid copper plating chemistry determines the quality of copper pillars, under bump metallurgy (UBM), redistribution lines (RDLs) as well as its ability to fill through silicon vias (TSVs). Most of the MEMs, LED, and semiconductor customers require flat and smooth surfaces but there are some applications that require convex surfaces. The selection and optimization of electroplating conditions, especially the plating chemistry, play a key role in obtaining desired surface topographies. Many of the users of such plating chemistries are large semiconductor manufacturers integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), or packaging houses who typically process semiconductor chips with different geometries, dimensions, including different heights. The manufacturers and packaging houses are making these semiconductor chips for fabless companies, IDMs and/or end users. Because the design of each and every one of these companies is different, this requires that the plating processes employed by the manufacturers and packaging houses are versatile and have a wide process window. For example, a foundry makes semiconductor chips for fabless companies and IDMs. One of the steps is to electroplate copper pillars with via diameters ranging from about 10 μm to about 200 μm, and the height ranging from about 20 μm to about 150 μm. If the fab could use a single copper plating chemistry to meet all of its customer requirements on feature topography and within die uniformity, it would significantly reduce its manufacturing cost. If the foundry uses multiple copper plating chemistries to cover the full range of the feature dimension, it would increase the manufacturing cost because it has to deal with not only a number of different chemistries, but also associated cost for product inventory, process control and maintenance, etc. Currently, in the market, there is no single commercial copper plating chemistry that could produce microchips with a wide range of feature dimensions at high yield, nor could a single commercial copper plating chemistry produce flat or convex topography by simply adjusting the concentration or composition. In addition, not a single commercial copper plating chemistry could produce same topography for features from about 10 μm to about 150 μm at deposition rate as high as 10 A/dm²(ASD) or 2.2 μm/minute. A typical acid copper plating chemistry includes virgin makeup solution (VMS), which includes a metal salt, an acid, chloride ions and organic additives. The content of organic additives is typically very low (at ppm level), but they determine the surface features as well as bulk properties of the electroplated layer. Organic additives can be categorized as a suppressor (or wetting agent), a leveler (or grain refiner), and an accelerator (or brightener). A suppressor acts as a wetting agent which helps to wet the metal surface so plating can take place. During deposition, it suppresses the growth rate of the deposited metal so it can grow through a layer by layer mechanism. Consequently, it results in adhesive, smooth metal surfaces without dendrites. A copper plating bath containing only a suppressor produces a matte or dull surface. To this composition, one can add a leveler. By definition, it levels or fills the “potholes” of the deposited surface in such a way that the height difference between the highest point and the lowest point of a given feature is minimized. In addition, a good leveler also ensures the height difference between the tallest and the shortest bump in a die is minimized. A copper plating bath that contains both a suppressor and a leveler produces a surface that is somewhat reflective but not bright. To this composition, one can add an accelerator. By definition, it increases the copper deposition rate at the deposition potential. At the same time, it results in a reflective, shining surface. In semiconductor copper plating, the most critical component is the leveler, because ultimately it determines the within die uniformity, which largely determines the yield. Although choosing the right suppressor is also crucial, especially in the case of copper damascene, the core technology innovation today centers around the leveler for UBM, RDL, copper pillar and TSV plating. This is because taller features and larger dimensions are required for these applications (height 3 μm to 200 μm, line width 2 μm to 20 μm, diameter 10 to 200 μm), therefore maintaining yield at >99.9% becomes extremely challenging. In addition, when taller copper pillar is required, it is critical to deposit copper at high deposition rate such as 10 ASD (2.2 μm/min) or above so high productivity can be achieved. This allows the manufacturer to reduce the unit cost therefore to maintain its competitiveness. Clearly there is a need for a versatile electrolytic copper deposition chemistry. As described below, the present invention offers such a solution by employing quaternary ammonium salts of dialkylaminoalkyl esters of 10-thiaxanthenecarboxylic acid and its derivatives as levelers. Although there are commercial copper plating baths that could meet one or more of the six challenges mentioned previously, there is none that could meet all six. The composition and method of present invention could be as described below.

SUMMARY

In the first aspect, a compound is of formula (I) or a salt thereof:

L, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are as defined below.

In the second aspect, a leveling composition comprises a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof.

In the third aspect, a compound is of formula (II):

L, X, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are as defined below.

In the fourth aspect, a leveling composition comprises a compound of formula (II).

In the fifth aspect, a method for depositing a metal onto a substrate comprises: contacting a substrate with an electrolytic metal deposition composition comprising a source of metal ions, and a leveler composition, wherein the leveler composition comprises the compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof; and applying an electrical current to the electrolytic deposition composition to deposit a metal onto the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 demonstrates different copper pillar topography. Note that a flat topography is preferred.

FIG. 2 is a Hull cell panel of copper deposition at 3 A for 2 minutes in the presence of compound D as a leveler

FIG. 3 is a Hull cell panel of copper deposition at 3 A for 2 minutes in the presence of compound D as a leveler plus a suppressor, note the improvement of plating at low current density region. The panel is somewhat reflective but not bright.

FIG. 4 is a Hull cell panel of copper deposition at 3 A for 2 minutes in the presence of compound D as a leveler plus a suppressor and an accelerator, note the improvement of plating. The entire panel becomes reflective and bright.

FIG. 5 is a Hull cell panel of copper deposition at 3 A for 2 minutes in the presence of JGB plus a suppressor and an accelerator.

FIG. 6 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with JGB as the leveler, pillar diameter=100 μm.

FIG. 7 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound E as the leveler, pillar diameter=100 μm.

FIG. 8 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F as the leveler, pillar diameter=100 μm.

FIG. 9 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with JGB as the leveler, pillar diameter=80 μm.

FIG. 10 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound E as the leveler, pillar diameter=80 μm.

FIG. 11 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F as the leveler, pillar diameter=80 μm.

FIG. 12 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with JGB as the leveler, pillar diameter=60 μm.

FIG. 13 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound E as the leveler, pillar diameter=60 μm.

FIG. 14 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F as the leveler, pillar diameter=60 μm.

FIG. 15 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with JGB as the leveler, pillar diameter=40 μm.

FIG. 16 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound E as the leveler, pillar diameter=40 μm.

FIG. 17 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F as the leveler, pillar diameter=40 μm.

FIG. 18 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with JGB as the leveler, pillar diameter=20 μm.

FIG. 19 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound E as the leveler, pillar diameter=20 μm.

FIG. 20 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F as the leveler, pillar diameter=20 μm.

FIG. 21 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound D as the leveler, pillar diameter=20 μm.

FIG. 22 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with JGB as the leveler, pillar diameter=10 μm

FIG. 23 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound E as the leveler, pillar diameter=10 μm.

FIG. 24 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F as the leveler, pillar diameter=10 μm.

FIG. 25 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound D as the leveler, pillar diameter=10 μm.

FIG. 26 is the die map of a commercial copper pillar test wafer that has three different pitch sizes, 150 μm, 225 μm, and 375 μm. Bump diameter is 80 μm, bump height is 75 μm.

FIG. 27 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound E as the leveler, pillar diameter=80 μm, pitch=150 μm, 225 μm, and 375 μm, respectively, obtained at 10 ASD. Note the slight convex topography

FIG. 28 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F as the leveler, pillar diameter=80 μm, pitch=150 μm, 225 μm, and 375 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the flat topography.

FIG. 29 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound D as the leveler, pillar diameter=80 μm, pitch=150 μm, 225 μm, and 375 μm, respectively, obtained at 10 ASD. Note the flat topography.

FIG. 30 is a drawing of a copper pillar wafer with a recess step in the bottom of the bump. Bump dimensions are shown in the drawing.

FIG. 31 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar without leveler, pillar diameter=150 μm and 120 μm, respectively. Note there is a recess of 15 μm height at the bottom of the bump.

FIG. 32 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with JGB, pillar diameter=150 μm and 120 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the concave topography.

FIG. 33 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound D, pillar diameter=150 μm and 120 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the topography has changed to slightly convex.

FIG. 34 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=150 μm and 120 μm, respectively. Obtained at 15 ASD. Note the slight concave topography.

FIG. 35 is a die map of a commercial copper pillar test wafer that has three different pitch sizes, 150 μm, 225 μm, 375 μm. Bump diameter is 30 μm, bump height is 75 μm.

FIG. 36 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with Compound D, pillar diameter=30 μm, pitch=150 μm, 225 μm, and 375 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the flat topography.

FIG. 37 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=30 μm, pitch=150 μm, 225 μm, and 375 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the flat topography.

FIG. 38 is a drawing of a copper pillar wafer without a recess step at the bottom of the bump. Bump dimensions are shown in the drawing.

FIG. 39 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=150 μm and 120 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the flat topography.

FIG. 40 is a drawing of a PAD wafer with a recess step in the bottom of the bump. Bump dimensions are shown in the drawing.

FIG. 41 is the 3D laser microscope imaging and cross section imaging of a PAD with compound F, PAD diameter=180 μm. Note the conformal topography.

FIG. 42 is a die map of a RDL wafer with recess steps in different features.

FIG. 43 is the 3D laser microscope imaging and cross section imaging of a RDL feature with compound F. Note the conformal topography. Also note that the conformal growth on PADs and RDL wafers were achieved by using one single chemistry.

FIG. 44 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=120 μm. Obtained at 10 ASD and 13ASD. Note the flat topography.

FIG. 45 is a die map of a copper pillar wafer with different patterns (pattern I and pattern II), but same dimensions. Bump dimensions are shown in the drawing.

FIG. 46 is the 3D laser microscope imaging with compound F on pattern I and pattern II shown in FIG. 45. Note the flat topography. Also note that the flat copper pillars were achieved by using one single chemistry.

FIG. 47 is a die map of a copper pillar wafer. Bump dimensions are shown in the drawing.

FIG. 48 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=30 μm and 17 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the flat topography and bump height difference between 30 μm wide and 17 μm wide bumps is less than 1 μm, for copper bonding applications (Requirement I).

FIG. 49 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=30 μm and 17 μm, respectively. Obtained at 13 ASD. Note the flat topography and bump height difference between 30 μm wide and 17 μm wide bumps is less than 1 μm, for copper bonding applications (Requirement I).

FIG. 50 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=30 μm and 17 μm, respectively. Obtained at 15 ASD. Note the flat topography and bump height difference between 30 μm wide and 17 μm wide bumps is less than 1 μm, for copper bonding applications (Requirement I).

FIG. 51 is the 3D laser microscope imaging of a copper pillar with compound F, pillar diameter=30 μm and 17 μm, respectively. Obtained at 10 ASD. Note the flat topography and bump height difference between 30 μm wide and 17 μm wide bumps is 3-4 μm, for solder bonding applications (Requirement II). Also note that requirement I and II were satisfied with one single chemistry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention is directed to a compound, a composition and a method for electrodepositing of metal layers. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a compound, a composition and a method for depositing copper or copper alloys. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a compound, a composition and a method for metalizing an interconnect feature in a semiconductor circuit device substrate, i.e., a wafer or die with desirable surface topography and good within die uniformity at high deposition rate. The semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate, i.e., a wafer or die, has a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is the surface on which integrated circuitry is built. Accordingly, the interconnect feature, i.e., a redistribution line or a copper pillar, is located on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The feature has an opening in the front surface of the substrate, a sidewall extending from the front surface of the substrate, and a bottom. The bottom is pre-deposited with a thin layer of copper seed layer. On a single die, features with same dimension or features with different dimensions can be found depending on customer design. In some cases, different features with different dimensions are built within a die. Needless to say, it is easier to realize copper deposition with same feature and same dimension than same feature but different dimensions on a die. During electroplating, the wafer is immersed into the plating bath, only the front surface where there are openings is conductive. When electrical connection is made between an anode and a cathode, both of which are immersed in the plating bath, electric circuitry is complete, and copper metallization by electrodeposition takes place. The quality of the plated surface is directly affected by the additives that are used in the plating bath.

Semiconductor substrates may comprise large sized (40 to 200 microns), low aspect ratio (0.3 to 1.5) via features, or small sized (10 nm to 30 microns), high aspect ratio (1.5 to 20) via features.

Semiconductor substrates may comprise lines with width ranging from 10 nm to 20 μm, length ranging from 20 nm to 200 μm.

These features may be located in a patterned dielectric film, the dielectric film is located on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate may be, for example, a semiconductor wafer or chip. The semiconductor wafer is typically a silicon wafer or silicon chip, although other semiconductor materials, such as germanium, silicon germanium, silicon carbide, silicon germanium carbide, gallium nitride and gallium arsenide are applicable to the method of the present invention.

The semiconductor substrate has deposited thereon a dielectric film. The dielectric film is typically deposited on the semiconductor wafer or chip and then patterned by lithography, to achieve the circuitry pattern comprising the aforementioned redistribution lines, trenches, and vias.

In many logic, memory, power, and Radio Frequency (RF) devices, a smooth copper surface with flat topography is desirable. In other words, the copper surface should be shining and flat from one end to another. This is especially true when the application is radio frequency. If the surface is rough, and/or surface topography is not flat, a percentage of the signal will be lost due to the so called skin effect, causing performance issues. In the case of copper pillar, especially if the subsequent interconnection is with another copper surface, it is critical that both surfaces are flat, otherwise the joint formed during the copper-copper bonding would not be strong enough to last during the product warrantee period. In some cases, a surface with slight convex shape maybe desirable. In most of the cases, a concave surface is undesirable for copper-copper bonding because no bond can be formed near the center of the feature. This would render the joint unreliable. Therefore, for copper pillar plating, it is important that the plating chemistries shall produce plated copper surface with slightly convex profile or preferably flat topography. As mentioned previously, the additive in an acid copper plating bath that controls the surface morphology is the leveler. Conventional levelers today can largely fulfill the role of producing slight convex surface. For some via dimensions, they can also produce flat topography. However, they are found not to be able to produce flat topography for all via dimensions at the same time when via diameters vary from about 10 microns to about 200 microns. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of depositing bright copper pillars with flat topography with diameters ranging from about 10 microns to about 200 microns.

The method of the present invention comprises the incorporation of one of a particular class of leveler additives into the electrolytic copper plating chemistry. Plating chemistries containing these leveler additives produce excellent leveling effect over a wide range of feature aspect ratios and at high current densities. One embodiment of this method has been found to produce copper pillars and RDLs with flat topography for the dimensions described above. In addition, these leveler additives can produce copper pillars and RDLs with flat topography in one single bath composition. Furthermore, the copper pillars or RDLs with different sizes on a single die can be produced. In one embodiment, incorporation of one or more of this class of leveler additives with conventional leveler could produce copper pillar with desired surface topography.

DEFINITIONS

When describing the compounds, compositions, methods and processes of this disclosure, the following terms have the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated.

The term “halogen” means a chlorine, bromine, iodine, or fluorine atom.

The term “alkyl” means a hydrocarbon group that may be linear, cyclic, or branched or a combination thereof having the number of carbon atoms designated (i.e., C₂₋₁₂ means two to twelve carbon atoms). Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, (cyclohexyl) methyl, cyclopropylmethyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, etc. Alkyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted, unless otherwise indicated. Examples of substituted alkyl groups include haloalkyl, thioalkyl, aminoalkyl, and the like.

The term “alkenyl” means a hydrocarbon group that contains at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond. Alkenyl groups can include, e.g., allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-hexenyl and 3-octenyl groups.

The term “alkynyl” means a hydrocarbon group that contains at least one carbon-to-carbon triple bond. Alkynyl groups can include, e.g., ethynyl, propargyl, and 3-hexynyl. Alkenyl and alkynyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted, unless otherwise indicated.

The term “aryl” means a polyunsaturated, aromatic hydrocarbon group having 5-10 atoms and forming a single ring (monocyclic, preferably with 6 atoms such as phenyl) or multiple rings (bicyclic (preferably with 10 atoms such as naphthyl) or polycyclic), which can be fused together or linked covalently. Examples of aryl groups include phenyl and naphthalene-1-yl, naphthalene-2-yl, biphenyl and the like. Aryl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted, unless otherwise indicated.

The term “heteroaryl” means an aromatic group containing 5-10 atoms and at least one heteroatom (such as S, N, O, Si), where the heteroaryl group may be monocyclic (with preferably 5 or 6 atoms) or bicyclic (with preferably 9 or 10 atoms). Examples include pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, benzotriazinyl, purinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, isobenzofuryl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzotriazinyl, thienopyridinyl, thienopyrimidinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, imidazopyridines, benzothiazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, indazolyl, pteridinyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, furyl or thienyl.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to saturated monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, or other polycyclic hydrocarbon groups. Any atom can be substituted, e.g., by one or more substituents. A ring carbon serves as the point of attachment of a cycloalkyl group to another moiety. Cycloalkyl groups can contain fused rings. Fused rings are rings that share a common carbon atom. Cycloalkyl moieties can include, e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, adamantyl, and norbornyl (bicycle[2.2.1]heptyl).

The term “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl moiety in which an alkyl hydrogen atom is replaced by an aryl group. One of the carbons of the alkyl moiety serves as the point of attachment of the aralkyl group to another moiety. Aralkyl includes groups in which more than one hydrogen atom on an alkyl moiety has been replaced by an aryl group. Any ring or chain atom can be substituted e.g., by one or more substituents. Non-limiting examples of “aralkyl” include benzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, benzhydryl (diphenylmethyl), and trityl (triphenylmethyl) groups.

The term “heteroaralkyl” refers to an alkyl moiety in which an alkyl hydrogen atom is replaced by a heteroaryl group. One of the carbons of the alkyl moiety serves as the point of attachment of the aralkyl group to another moiety. Heteroaralkyl includes groups in which more than one hydrogen atom on an alkyl moiety has been replaced by a heteroaryl group. Any ring or chain atom can be substituted e.g., by one or more substituents. Heteroaralkyl can include, for example, 2-pyridylethyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” or “heterocyclic”, which are synonymous as used herein, means a saturated or unsaturated non-aromatic ring containing at least 5-10 atoms (preferably 5 or 6) and at least one heteroatom (typically 1 to 5 heteroatoms) selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. The heterocyclyl ring may be monocyclic (with preferably 5 or 6 atoms) or bicyclic (with preferably 9 or 10 atoms). The ring system has 1-4 heteroatoms if monocyclic, 1-8 heteroatoms if bicyclic, or 1-10 heteroatoms if tricyclic, the heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S (and mono and dioxides thereof, e.g., N→O⁻, S(O), SO₂). The heterocyclyl groups can contain fused rings. Fused rings are rings that share a common carbon atom. Examples of heterocycle groups include pyrrolidine, piperidine, imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, butyrolactam, valerolactam, imidazolidinone, hydantoin, dioxolane, phthalimide, piperidine, 1,4-dioxane, morpholine, thiomorpholine, thiomorpholine-S-oxide, thiomorpholine-S,S-dioxide, piperazine, pyran, pyridone, 3-pyrroline, thiopyran, pyrone, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, quinuclidine and the like.

The term “ring” means a compound whose atoms are arranged in formulas in a cyclic form. The ring compound can be either carbocyclic or heterocyclic.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl radical. The term “mercapto” refers to an SH radical. The term “thioalkoxy” refers to an —S-alkyl radical. The terms “aryloxy” and “heteroaryloxy” refer to an —O-aryl radical and —O-heteroaryl radical, respectively. The terms “thioaryloxy” and “thioheteroaryloxy” refer to an —S-aryl radical and —S-heteroaryl radical, respectively.

The terms “aralkoxy” and “heteroaralkoxy” refer to an —O-aralkyl radical and —O-heteroaralkyl radical, respectively. The terms “thioaralkoxy” and “thioheteroaralkoxy” refer to an —S-aralkyl radical and —S-heteroaralkyl radical, respectively. The term “cycloalkoxy” refers to an —O-cycloalkyl radical. The terms “cycloalkenyloxy” and “heterocycloalkenyloxy” refer to an —O-cycloalkenyl radical and —O-heterocycloalkenyl radical, respectively. The term “heterocyclyloxy” refers to an —O-heterocyclyl radical. The term “thiocycloalkoxy” refers to an —S-cycloalkyl radical. The terms “thiocycloalkenyloxy” and “thioheterocycloalkenyloxy” refer to an —S-cycloalkenyl radical and —S-heterocycloalkenyl radical, respectively. The term “thioheterocyclyloxy” refers to an —S-heterocyclyl radical.

The term “cycloalkenyl” refers to partially unsaturated monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, or other polycyclic hydrocarbon groups. A ring carbon (e.g., saturated or unsaturated) is the point of attachment of the cycloalkenyl substituent. Any atom can be substituted e.g., by one or more substituents. The cycloalkenyl groups can contain fused rings. Fused rings are rings that share a common carbon atom. Cycloalkenyl moieties can include, e.g., cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl, or norbornenyl.

The term “heterocycloalkenyl” refers to partially unsaturated monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, or other polycyclic hydrocarbon groups having 1-4 heteroatoms if monocyclic, 1-8 heteroatoms if bicyclic, or 1-10 heteroatoms if tricyclic, said heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S (and mono and dioxides thereof, e.g., N→O⁻, S(O), SO₂) (e.g., carbon atoms and 1-4, 1-8, or 1-10 heteroatoms of N, O, or S if monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic, respectively). A ring carbon (e.g., saturated or unsaturated) or heteroatom is the point of attachment of the heterocycloalkenyl substituent. Any atom can be substituted, e.g., by one or more substituents. The heterocycloalkenyl groups can contain fused rings. Fused rings are rings that share a common carbon atom. Heterocycloalkenyl groups can include, e.g., tetrahydropyridyl, dihydropyranyl, 4,5-dihydrooxazolyl, 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazolyl, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyrimidinyl, and 5,6-dihydro-2H-[1,3]oxazinyl.

The term “substituent” refers to a group “substituted” on, e.g., an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocycloalkenyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylcycloalkyl, heteroarylcycloalkyl, arylcycloalkenyl, heteroarylcycloalkenyl, arylheterocyclyl, heteroarylheterocyclyl, arylheterocycloalkenyl, or heteroarylheterocycloalkenyl group at any atom of that group. In one aspect, the substituent(s) (e.g., R^(a)) on a group are independently any one single, or any combination of two or more of the permissible atoms or groups of atoms delineated for that substituent. In another aspect, a substituent may itself be substituted with any one of the above substituents (e.g., R⁶).

In general, and unless otherwise indicated, substituent (radical) prefix names are derived from the parent hydride by either (i) replacing the “ane” in the parent hydride with the suffixes “yl,” “diyl,” “triyl,” “tetrayl,” etc.; or (ii) replacing the “e” in the parent hydride with the suffixes “yl,” “diyl,” “triyl,” “tetrayl,” etc. (here the atom(s) with the free valence, when specified, is (are) given numbers as low as is consistent with any established numbering of the parent hydride). Accepted contracted names, e.g., adamantyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, furyl, pyridyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, and piperidyl, and trivial names, e.g., vinyl, allyl, phenyl, and thienyl are also used herein throughout. Conventional numbering/lettering systems are also adhered to for substituent numbering and the nomenclature of fused, bicyclic, tricyclic, polycyclic rings.

In general, when a definition for a particular variable includes both hydrogen and non-hydrogen (halo, alkyl, aryl, etc.) possibilities, the term “substituent(s) other than hydrogen” refers collectively to the non-hydrogen possibilities for that particular variable.

All of the above terms (e.g., “alkyl,” “aryl,” “heteroaryl” etc.), in some embodiments, include both substituted and unsubstituted forms of the indicated groups. These groups may be substituted multiple times, as chemically allowed.

The term “composition” as used herein is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

Compounds and Compositions

A compound is of formula (I) or a salt thereof:

R¹ is O, S or N. In some embodiments, R¹ is O.

R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently C₁₋₆ alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently alkylaryl. In some embodiments, R² is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, R² is —OCH₂CH₃. In one embodiment, R² is alkyl substituted with phenyl. In one embodiment, R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl, m is an integer from 1-12. In one embodiment, R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl-OH, m is an integer from 1-12.

In one embodiment, R² is —CH₂ phenyl. In one embodiment, R² is —CH₂ phenyl-OH. In some embodiments, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, both of R³ and R⁴ are —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are hydrogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is halogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is —OCH₂CH₃.

L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl. In some embodiments, L is —(CH₂)_(m)—. m is an Integer. In some embodiments, m is one or two.

A leveler compound has formula (I) or a salt thereof. Salt(s) include those derived by combination of appropriate anions such as inorganic or organic acids. Suitable acids include those having sufficient acidity to form a stable salt, preferably acids or low toxicity. For example, one may form invention salts from inorganic or organic acids. Exemplary inorganic acids include HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₂SO₄, and H₃PO₄. Organic acids include organic sulfonic acids and organic carboxylic. Exemplary organic sulfonic acids include C₆₋₁₆ aryl sulfonic acids, C₆₋₁₆ heteroaryl sulfonic acids and C₁₋₁₆ alkyl sulfonic acids such as phenyl, a-naphthyl, b-naphthyl, (S)-camphor, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl and hexyl sulfonic acids. Exemplary organic carboxylic acids include C₁₋₁₆ akyl, C₆₋₁₆ aryl carboxylic acids and C₁₋₁₆ heteroaryl carboxylic acids such as acetic, glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, malonic, glutaric, tartaric, citric, fumaric, succinic, malic, maleic, hydoxymaleic, benzoic, hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, cinnamic, salicylic and 2-phenoxybenzoic. Salts also include the invention compound salts with one or more amino acids. Many amino acids are suitable, especially the naturally-occurring amino acids found as protein components, although the amino acid typically is one bearing a side chain with a basic or acidic group, e.g., lysine, arginine or glutamic acid, or a neutral group such as glycine, serine, threonine, alanine, isoleucine, or leucine. Salts are usually biologically compatible or pharmaceutically acceptable or non-toxic, particularly for mammalian cells. Salts that are biologically non-toxic are generally used with synthetic intermediates of invention compounds. The salts of invention compounds may be crystalline or noncrystalline.

A leveling composition comprises a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof:

R¹ is O, S or N. In some embodiments, R¹ is O.

R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently C₁₋₆ alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently alkylaryl. In some embodiments, R² is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, R² is —OCH₂CH₃. In one embodiment, R² is alkyl substituted with phenyl. In one embodiment, R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl, m is an integer from 1-12. In one embodiment, R² is —CH₂ phenyl. In one embodiment, R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl-OH, m is an integer from 1-12. In one embodiment, R² is —CH₂ phenyl-OH. In some embodiments, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, both of R³ and R⁴ are —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are hydrogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is halogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is —OCH₂CH₃.

L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl. In some embodiments, L is —(CH₂)_(m)—. m is an integer. In some embodiments, m is one or two.

In some embodiments, the leveling composition comprises a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof, an accelerator, a suppressor, and a metal source. The salt of formula (I) can be any suitable salt. For example, Salt(s) include those derived by combination of appropriate anions such as inorganic or organic acids. Suitable acids include those having sufficient acidity to form a stable salt, preferably low toxicity. For example, one may form invention salts from organic or inorganic acids, e.g., HF, HCl, HBr, HI, H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄, HNO₃ or form organic sulfonic acids, organic carboxylic acids to basic centers, typically amines. Exemplary organic sulfonic acids include C₆₋₁₆ aryl sulfonic acids, C₆₋₁₆ heteroaryl sulfonic acids and C₁-16 alkyl sulfonic acids such as phenyl, a-naphthyl, b-naphthyl, (S)-camphor, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl and hexyl sulfonic acids. Exemplary organic carboxylic acids include C₁₋₁₆ akyl, C₆₋₁₆ aryl carboxylic acids and C₁₋₁₆ heteroaryl carboxylic acids such as acetic, glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, malonic, glutaric, tartaric, citric, fumaric, succinic, malic, maleic, hydoxymaleic, benzoic, hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, cinnamic, salicylic and 2-phenoxybenzoic. Salts also include the invention compound salts with one or more amino acids. Many amino acids are suitable, especially the naturally-occurring amino acids found as protein components, although the amino acid typically is one bearing a side chain with a basic or acidic group, e.g., lysine, arginine or glutamic acid, or a neutral group such as glycine, serine, threonine, alanine, isoleucine, or leucine.

The accelerator can be any suitable reagent. For example, the accelerator can be an organic sulfur compound. In some embodiments, the organic sulfur compounds are water soluble organic divalent sulfur compounds. In one embodiment, the organic sulfur compound has the following general formula (III):

Wherein X is O or S. In some embodiments, X is S.

-   -   n is an Integra selected from 1 to 6.     -   M is hydrogen, alkali metal, or ammonium as needed to satisfy         the valence.     -   R′ is an alkylene or cyclic alkylene group of 1 to 8 carbon         atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon of 6 to 12 carbon atoms.     -   R″ is selected from the group of MO₃SR^(a) wherein M is as         described above.     -   R^(a) is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some         embodiments, R^(a) is independently C₁₋₆ alkyl. In some         embodiments, R^(a) is selected from the group consisting of         methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R^(a) is         selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and         isopropyl. In one embodiment, R^(a) is methyl.

In some embodiments, the organic sulfur compound of formula (III) has the following general formula (IV), wherein M is a counter ion possessing sufficient positive charge to balance the negative charge on the oxygen atoms. M may be, for example, protons, alkali metal ions such as sodium and potassium, or another charge balancing cation such as ammonium or a quaternary amine.

One example of the organic sulfur compound of formula (IV) is the sodium salt of 3,3′-dithiobis(1-propane-sulfonate), which has the following formula (V):

An especially preferred example of the organic sulfur compound of formula (VI) is 3,3′-dithiobis(1-propane-sulfonic acid), which has the following formula (VII):

The organic sulfur compound may be added in concentration between about 1 mg/L to about 50 mg/L (ppm), preferably between about 3 mg/L to 30 mg/L, such as between about 15 mg/L and 25 mg/L. In an embodiment, the organic sulfur compound is 3, 3′dithiobis(1-propanesulfonic acid) added in a concentration of about 20 mg/L.

The suppressor can be any suitable compound. For example, it can comprise a polyether group covalently bonded to a base moiety. Suppressors typically comprise a polyether group covalently bonded to a base moiety. One class of applicable suppressors comprises a polymer group covalently bonded to an alcohol initiating moiety. With regard to suppressors comprising a polyether group covalently bonded to an initiating moiety comprising an ether group derived from an alcohol initiating moiety, the suppressor comprises at least two distinct ether functional groups; (1) an ether group derived from a reaction between alcohol and a random glycol unit or the polyether chain, and (2) ether groups derived from reactions between random glycol units within the polyether chain.

In those embodiments where the polyether chain comprises an initiating moiety comprising ether group derived from an alcohol, suitable alcohols include substituted or unsubstituted acyclic alcohols and substituted or unsubstituted cyclic alcohols. The alcohol comprises at least one hydroxyl group, and thus can be an alcohol or a polyol, the polyol comprising two or more hydroxyl groups such as between about two hydroxyl groups to about six hydroxyl groups. Acyclic alcohols comprise a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, preferably a short chain hydrocarbon having between one and about twelve carbons, more preferably between about four and about ten carbons, which may be branched or straight chained. Exemplary acyclic alcohols include n-butanol, iso-butanol, tert-butanol, pentanol, neopentanol, tert-army alcohol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butandiol, 1,4-butandiol, and glycercol, among others. Cycloalkyl groups typically have a 5- to 7-carbon ring, although bicylic, tricylic, and higher multi-cyclic alkyl groups are applicable.

The polyether comprises a chain of random glycol units wherein the chain of random glycol units can be formed by the polymerization of epoxide monomers. Preferably, the polyether comprises a chain of random glycol units formed by the polymerization of both ethylene oxide monomer and propylene oxide monomer. The ratio of ethylene oxide (EO) glycol units and propylene oxide (PO) glycol units in the polyether can be between about 1:9 to about 9:1. In some embodiments, the ratio is between about 1:3 to about 3:1, such as about 1:1. The random polyether can comprise up to about 800 EO glycol units and up to about 250 PO glycol units. In a preferred embodiment, the random polyether comprises between about 20 and about 25 EO glycol units and between about 15 and about 20 PO glycol units. The molecule weight of the random polyether can be as low as 500 g/mole and as high as about 50,000 g/mole, preferably between about 1000 g/mole to 20,000 g/mole, and more preferably between 1000 g/mole to 10,000 g/mole.

An exemplary suppressor compound comprising a polyether group covalently bonded to a moiety derived from an alcohol is shown in formula (VIII). Formula VIII is a suppressor comprising a PO/EO random copolymer covalently bonded to a moiety derived from n-butanol having the structure:

—(CH₂)₃—(OC₃H₆)_(m)/(OC₂H₄)_(n)—   (VII)

Wherein n can be between 1 and about 200 and m can be between 1 and about 200. The number ratio of EO:PO units is such that the suppressor compound preferably comprises between about 45% and about 55% by weight EO units and between about 55% and 45% by weight PO units, the EO and PO units arranged randomly in the polyether chain. The molecular weight of the random PO/EO copolymer can be between about 2000 g/mole to about 20,000 g/mole, and preferably between about 1500 g/mole to about 4500 g/mole.

An exemplary suppressor compound having the formula (VII) is available from Aladdin Chemistry Co. Ltd., under the trade designation Poly ethylene glycol.

The composition may comprise other materials that have other deposit properties, such as wetters, grain refiners, secondary brighteners, carriers, levelers and the like. In embodiments wherein an alloy is to be deposited, the electrolytic copper deposition chemistry further comprises a source of metal ions of the allying metal that may be selected from among a source of tin ions, a source of silver ions, a source of zinc ions, a source of manganese ions, a source of zirconium ions, a source of bismuth ions, or a source of transition or refractory metal ions.

In some embodiments, the metal source is a copper source. In some embodiments, the copper source comprises copper sulfate, copper electrolytic copper plating baths include copper fluoroborate, copper pyrophosphate, copper cyanide, copper phosphate, copper sulfate, and other copper metal complexes such as copper methane sulfonate and copper hydroxylethylsulonate. In some embodiments, copper sources include copper sulfate in sulfuric acid solution and copper methane sulfonate in methane sulfonic acid solution.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) has the structure selected from the group consisting of:

In some embodiments, the leveling composition comprises a compound of formula (I), an accelerator, a suppressor, and a metal source. In some embodiments, the metal source is a copper source. In some embodiments, the copper source comprises copper sulfate, copper electrolytic copper plating baths include copper fluoroborate, copper pyrophosphate, copper cyanide, copper phosphate, copper sulfate, and other copper metal complexes such as copper methane sulfonate and copper hydroxylethylsulfonate. In some embodiments, copper sources include copper sulfate in sulfuric acid solution and copper methane sulfonate in methane sulfonic acid solution.

In some embodiments, a compound has formula (II):

The anion X⁻ can be any suitable anion. In some embodiments, X⁻ is anions of organic acids, such as acetate, formate, oxalate, cyanide, and alkylsulfonate. In some embodiments, X⁻ is carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulfate, or nitrate. In some embodiments, X⁻ is a halogen anion, such as F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, or I⁻. In some embodiments, X is Cl⁻, or Br⁻.

R¹ is O, S or N. In some embodiments, R¹ is O.

R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently C₁₋₆ alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R², R³, Wand R⁵ are independently alkylaryl. In some embodiments, R² is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, R² is —OCH₂CH₃. In one embodiment, R² is methylphenyl. In some embodiments, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, both of R² and R³ are —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are hydrogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is halogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is —OCH₂CH₃.

L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl. In some embodiments, L is —(CH₂)_(m)—. m is an Integer. In some embodiments, m is one or two.

In some embodiments, a leveling composition comprises a compound of formula (II).

In some embodiments, the leveling composition comprises a compound of formula (II), an accelerator, a suppressor, and a metal source.

The accelerator can be any suitable reagent. For example, the accelerator can be an organic sulfur compound. The suppressor can be any suitable compound. For example, it can comprise a polyether group covalently bonded to a base moiety. In some embodiments, the metal source is a copper source. In some embodiments, the copper source comprises copper sulfate, copper electrolytic copper plating baths include copper fluoroborate, copper pyrophosphate, copper cyanide, copper phosphate, copper sulfate, and other copper metal complexes such as copper methane sulfonate and copper hydroxylethylsulfonate. In some embodiments, copper sources include copper sulfate in sulfuric acid solution and copper methane sulfonate in methane sulfonic acid solution.

In some embodiments, the composition further comprises an additive. Any suitable additive can be used.

In some embodiments, a compound has formula (IIa):

The anion X can be any suitable anion. In some embodiments, X are anions of organic acids, such as acetate, formate, oxalate, cyanide, and alkylsulfonate. In some embodiments, X is carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulfate, or nitrate. In some embodiments, X is a halogen anion, such as F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, or I⁻. In some embodiments, X is Cl⁻, or Br⁻.

R¹ is O, S or N. In some embodiments, R¹ is O.

R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently C₁₋₆ alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently alkylaryl. In some embodiments, R² is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, R² is —OCH₂CH₃. In one embodiment, R² is alkyl substituted with phenyl. In one embodiment, R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl, m is an integer from 1-12. In one embodiment, R² is —CH₂ phenyl. In some embodiments, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, both of R³ and R⁴ are CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are hydrogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is halogen. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is —OCH₂CH₃.

L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl. In some embodiments, L is —(CH₂)_(m)—. m is an Integer. In some embodiments, m is one or two.

In some embodiments, the compound is an organic ammonium salt and possess relatively large conjugated system like aromatic rings on its side chains.

In some embodiments, a compound has a formula (IIb):

R¹ is O, S or N. In some embodiments, R¹ is O.

R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl.

R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl.

In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently unsubstituted or substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently C₁₋₆ alkyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently alkylaryl. In some embodiments, R² is alkoxyl. In some embodiments, R² is —OCH₂CH₃. In one embodiment, R² is alkyl substituted with phenyl. In one embodiment, R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl, m is an integer from 1-12. In one embodiment, R² is —CH₂ phenyl. In one embodiment, R² is methylphenyl. In some embodiments, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, both of R³ and R⁴ are —CH₂CH₃OH. In one embodiment, R³ and R⁴ are independently —CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

The present invention is directed to the composition of a new class of effective leveler additives for metal plating, particularly, in acid copper plating.

The present invention is also directed to a method of applying the said compounds in acid copper plating chemistries to electrodeposit copper traces and lines (RDLs) and copper pillars with good surface morphology and good die uniformity.

In one embodiment, the said leveler in combination with an accelerator, a suppressor, and a VMS, produces copper pillars with different surface morphology by simply varying the concentration of the said leveler in the plating solution.

In yet another embodiment, the said leveler in combination with an accelerator, a suppressor, and a VMS, produces copper pillars with completely flat topography over a wide range of feature sizes (e.g., diameters from 10 to 100 microns).

In yet another embodiment, the leveler in combination with another leveler, an accelerator, a suppressor, and a VMS, produces copper pillars with different surface morphologies by varying the concentrations of the two levelers in the plating solution.

In yet another embodiment, the said leveler in combination with another leveler, an accelerator, a suppressor, and a VMS, produces copper pillars with flat topography, good within die uniformity with microbumps (definition: bump diameter <20 microns).

A wide variety of leveler compounds are prepared from the reactions and the conditions described below.

Methods

In some embodiments, a method for depositing a metal onto a substrate comprises: contacting a substrate with an electrolytic metal deposition composition comprising a source of metal ions, and a leveler composition, wherein the electrolytic metal deposition composition comprises the compound of formula (I); and applying an electrical current to the electrolytic deposition composition to deposit a metal onto the substrate.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) has a structure of formula (II). In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) has a structure of formula (IIa). In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) has a structure of formula (IIb).

In some embodiments, the electrolytic metal deposition composition comprises a suppressor, an accelerator and an additive.

In some embodiments, the source of metal ions comprises a copper source. In some embodiments, the copper source comprises copper sulfate or copper methanesulfonate.

In some embodiments, the electrolytic metal deposition composition is acidic. In some embodiments, the composition comprises sulfuric acid. In some embodiments, the composition comprises methanesulfonic acid.

In some embodiments, the substrate has a recess step built in the substrate, see FIG. 30. After the metal is deposited onto the substrate by the present method, the substrate has a flat and smooth surface. The present method may deposit more metal in the recess portion thereby forming a smooth surface.

The leveler compound may be added to the electrolytic copper deposition chemistry at a concentration between 0.1 mg/L to 400 mg/L, preferably from about 1 mg/L to about 80 mg/L, more preferably from 2 mg/L to about 30 mg/L. The levelers are typically prepared by adding other supporting ingredients, and then diluted with high purity water. A portion of this leveler solution is then added to the electrolytic copper plating composition in the concentrations indicated above. Advantageously, electrolytic copper plating compositions have been discovered to be tolerant to relatively higher concentrations of the leveler concentrations of the leveler compounds of the present invention compared to conventional leveler compounds. That is, an electrolytic copper plating composition may be tolerant to higher concentrations of the leveler compounds of the presentation invention without negatively impacting the copper deposition quality, i.e., surface morphology and deposition rate.

The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry of the present invention additionally comprises a source of copper ions, chloride ions, an acid, an accelerator, and a suppressor. The composition may comprise other materials that have other deposit properties, such as wetters, grain refiners, secondary brighteners, carriers, levelers and the like. In embodiments wherein an alloy is to be deposited, the electrolytic copper deposition chemistry further comprises a source of metal ions of the allying metal that may be selected from among a source of tin ions, a source of silver ions, a source of zinc ions, a source of manganese ions, a source of zirconium ions, a source of bismuth ions, or a source of transition or refractory metal ions.

In embodiments wherein the metal or metals to be electrolytically deposited does not include copper, the deposition chemistry of the present invention additionally comprises a source of ions of the metal or metals to be deposited, such as a source of tin ions, a source of silver ions, a source of zinc ions, a source of manganese ions, a source of zirconium ions, a source of bismuth ions, or a source of transition or refractory metal ions, an acid, an accelerator, and a suppressor.

The accelerator and suppressor work together in a manner that advantageously enhances plating performance in conformal plating and surface appearance. Conformal plating is characterized by a deposit of equal thickness at all points of a feature (therefore flat). Conformal plating results from relatively equal copper deposition suppression across the entire feature surface and across the entire die. This could only be achieved with a superior leveling agent such as the ones in the present invention.

The accelerator may include an organic sulfur compound. Organic sulfur compounds currently preferred by the applicants are water soluble organic divalent sulfur compounds.

In one embodiment, the organic sulfur compound has the following general formula (III):

Wherein X is O or S, preferably S;

n is 1 to 6;

M is hydrogen, alkali metal, or ammonium as needed to satisfy the valence;

R′ is an alkylene or cyclic alkylene group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon of 6 to 12 carbon atoms; and

R″ is selected from the group of MO₃SR₁ wherein M and R₁ are as described above.

A preferred organic sulfur compound of formula (III) has the following general formula (IV), wherein M is a counter ion possessing sufficient positive charge to balance the negative charge on the oxygen atoms. M may be, for example, hydrogen, alkali metal ions such as sodium and potassium, or another charge balancing cation such as ammonium or a quaternary amine.

One example of the organic sulfur compound of formula (IV) is the sodium salt of 3,3′-dithiobis(1-propane-sulfonate), which has the following formula (V):

An especially preferred example of the organic sulfur compound of formula (IV) is 3,3′-dithiobis(1-propane-sulfonic acid), which has the following formula (VI):

The organic sulfur compound may be added in concentration between about 1 mg/L to about 50 mg/L, preferably between about 3 mg/L to 30 mg/L, such as between about 15 mg/L and 25 mg/L. In one embodiment, the organic sulfur compound is 3,3′dithiobis(1-propanesulfonic acid) added in a concentration of about 20 mg/L.

Suppressors typically comprise a polyether group covalently bonded to a base moiety. One class of applicable suppressors comprises a polymer group covalently bonded to an alcohol initiating moiety. With regard to suppressors comprising a polyether group covalently bonded to an initiating moiety comprising an ether group derived from an alcohol initiating moiety, the suppressor comprises at least two distinct ether functional groups; (1) an ether group derived from a reaction between alcohol and a random glycol unit or the polyether chain, and (2) ether groups derived from reactions between random glycol units within the polyether chain.

In those embodiments where the polyether chain comprises an initiating moiety comprising ether group derived from an alcohol, suitable alcohols include substituted or unsubstituted acyclic alcohols and substituted or unsubstituted cyclic alcohols. The alcohol comprises at least one hydroxyl group, and thus can be an alcohol or a polyol, the polyol comprising two or more hydroxyl groups such as between about two hydroxyl groups to about six hydroxyl groups. Acyclic alcohols comprise a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, preferably a short chain hydrocarbon having between one and about twelve carbons, more preferably between about four and about ten carbons, which may be branched or straight chained. Exemplary acyclic alcohols include n-butanol, iso-butanol, tert-butanol, pentanol, neopentanol, tert-army alcohol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butandiol, 1,4-butandiol, and glycercol, among others. Cycloalkyl groups typically have a 5- to 7-carbon ring, although bicylic, tricylic, and higher multi-cyclic alkyl groups are applicable.

The polyether comprises a chain of random glycol units wherein the chain of random glycol units can be formed by the polymerization of epoxide monomers. Preferably, the polyether comprises a chain of random glycol units formed by the polymerization of both ethylene oxide monomer and propylene oxide monomer. The ratio of ethylene oxide (EO) glycol units and propylene oxide (PO) glycol units in the polyether can be between about 1:9 to about 9:1. In some embodiments, the ratio is between about 1:3 to about 3:1, such as about 1:1. The random polyether can comprise up to about 800 EO glycol units and up to about 250 PO glycol units. In a preferred embodiment, the random polyether comprises between about 20 and about 25 EO glycol units and between about 15 and about 20 PO glycol units. The molecule weight of the random polyether can be as low as 500 g/mole and as high as about 50,000 g/mole, preferably between about 1000 g/mole to 20,000 g/mole, and more preferably between 1000 g/mole to 10,000 g/mole.

An exemplary suppressor compound comprising a polyether group covalently bonded to a moiety derived from an alcohol is shown in formula (VII). Formula (VII) is a suppressor comprising a PO/EO random copolymer covalently bonded to a moiety derived from n-butanol having the structure

—(CH₂)₃—(OC₃H₆)_(m)/(OC₂H₄)_(n)—   (VII)

n can be between 1 and about 200 and m can be between 1 and about 200. The number ratio of EO:PO units is such that the suppressor compound preferably comprises between about 45% and about 55% by weight EO units and between about 55% and 45% by weight PO units, the EO and PO units arranged randomly in the polyether chain. The molecular weight of the random PO/EO copolymer can be between about 2000 g/mole to about 20,000 g/mole, and preferably between about 1500 g/mole to about 4500 g/mole.

An exemplary suppressor compound having the formula (VII) is available from Aladdin Chemistry Co. Ltd., under the trade designation Poly ethylene glycol.

A wide variety of electrolytic copper deposition chemistries are potentially applicable. The electrolytic baths include acid baths and alkaline baths, exemplary electrolytic copper plating baths include copper fluoroborate, copper pyrophosphate, copper cyanide, copper phosphate, copper sulfate, and other copper metal complexes such as copper methane sulfonate and copper hydroxylethylsulfonate. Preferred copper sources include copper sulfate in sulfuric acid solution and copper methane sulfonate in methane sulfonic acid solution.

In embodiments wherein the copper source is copper sulfate and acid is sulfuric acid, the concentration of copper ion and acid may vary over wide limits; for example, from about 4 to 70 g/L copper and from about 2 to about 225 g/L sulfuric acid. In this regard the compounds of the invention are suitable for use in distinct acid/copper concentration ranges, such as high acid/low copper systems, in low acid/high copper systems, and mid acid/high copper systems. In high acid/low copper systems, the copper ion concentration can be on the order of 4 g/L to on the order of 30 g/L; and the acid concentration may be sulfuric acid in an amount greater than about 100 g/L up to 225 g/L. In an exemplary high acid low copper system, the copper ion concentration is about 17 g/L, where the sulfuric acid concentration is about 180 g/L. In some low acid/high copper systems, the copper ion concentration can be between 35 g/L to about 65 g/L, such as between 38 g/L and about 50 g/L. 35 g/L copper ion corresponds to about 140 g/L CuSO₄.5H₂O, copper sulfate pentahydrate. In some low acid high copper systems, the copper ion concentration can be between 30 to 60 g/L, such as between 40 g/L to about 50 g/L. The acid concentration in these systems is preferably less than about 100 g/L.

In other embodiments, the copper source is copper methanesulfonate and the acid is methanesulfonic acid. The use of copper mathanesulfonate as the copper source allows for greater concentrations of copper ions in the electrolytic copper deposition chemistries in comparison to other copper ion sources. Accordingly, the source of copper ion may be added to achieve copper ion concentrations greater than about 80 g/L, greater than about 90 g/L, or even greater than about 100 g/L, such as, for example about 110 g/L. Preferably, the copper methanesulfonate is added to achieve a copper ion concentration between about 30 g/L to about 100 g/L, such as between about 40 g/L and about 60 g/L. High copper concentrations enabled by the used of copper methanesulfonate is thought to be one method for alleviating the mass transfer problem, i.e., local depletion of copper ions particularly at the bottom of deep features. High copper concentrations in the bulk solution contribute to a step copper concentration gradient that enhances diffusion of copper into the features.

When copper methane sulfonate is used, it is preferred to use methane sulfonic acid for acid pH adjustment. This avoids the introduction of unnecessary anions into the electrolytic deposition chemistry. When methane sulfonic acid is added, its concentration may be between about 1 ml/L to about 400 ml/L.

Chloride ion may also be used in the bath at a level up to about 200 mg/L (about 200 ppm), preferably from about 2 mg/L to about 90 mg/L (about 2 to 90 ppm), such as about 50 mg/L (about 50 ppm). Chloride ion is added in these concentration ranges to enhance the function of other bath additives. In particular, it has been discovered that the addition of chloride ion enhances the effectiveness of a leveler. Chloride ions are added using HCl.

A source of alloying metal ions may be added to the composition to plate a copper alloy. Sources of alloying metal ions include a source of tin ions, a source of silver ions, a source of zinc ions, a source of manganese ions, a source of zirconium ions, a source of bismuth ions, or a source of transition or refractory metal ions. Typically, the sources of these alloying metal ions many be the same as the source of the copper ions. That is, if a copper sulfate is used as the copper source, it is preferred to use tin sulfate and zinc sulfate as the alloying metal ion sources. Alternatively, if copper methane sulfonate is used, the sources of tin ions and zinc ions are preferably methanesulfonate salts of these ions. These are typically added in concentrations from 0.05 to about 25 g/L. The concentration may vary depending upon the desired alloy metal content in the deposited copper alloy.

A large variety of additives may typically be used in the bath to provide desired surface finishes and metallurgies for the plated copper metal. Usually more than one additive is used to achieve desired functions. At least two or three additives are generally used to initiate good copper deposition as well as to produce desirable surface morphology with good conformal plating characteristics. Additional additives (usually organic additives) include wetter, grain refiners and secondary brighteners and polarizers for the suppression of dendritic growth, improved uniformity and defect reduction.

Plating equipment for plating semiconductor substrates is well known and is described in, for example, Haydu et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,856. Plating equipment comprises an electrolytic plating tank which holds copper electrolytic solution and which is made of a suitable material such as plastic or other material inert to the electrolytic plating solution. The tank may be cylindrical, especially for wafer plating. A cathode is horizontally disposed at the upper part of the tank and may be any type of substrate such as a silicon wafer having openings such as lines and vias. The wafer substrate is typically coated first with barrier layer, which may be titanium nitride, tantalum, tantalum nitride, or ruthenium to inhibit copper diffusion, and next with a seed layer of copper or other metal to initiate copper electrodeposition. A copper seed layer may be applied by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), or the like. An anode is also preferably circular for wafer plating and is horizontally disposed at the lower part of tank forming a space between the anode and the cathode. The anode is typically a soluble anode such as copper metal.

The bath additives can be used in combination with membrane technology being developed by various plating tool manufacturers. In this system, the anode may be isolated from the organic bath additives by a membrane. The purpose of the separation of the anode and the organic bath additives is to minimize the oxidation of the organic bath additives on the anode surface.

The cathode substrate and anode are electrically connected by wiring and, respectively, to a rectifier (power supply). The cathode substrate for direct or pulse current has a net negative charge so that copper ions in the solution are reduced at the cathode substrate forming plated copper metal on the cathode surface. An oxidation reaction takes place at the anode. The cathode and anode may be horizontally or vertically disposed in the tank.

During operation of the electrolytic plating system, a pulse current, direct current, reverse periodic current, or other suitable current may be employed. The temperature of the electrolytic solution may be maintained using a heater/cooler whereby electrolytic solution is removed from the holding tank and flows through the heater/cooler and it is recycled to the holding tank.

Electrodeposition conditions such as applied voltage, current density, solution temperature, and flow condition are essentially the same as those in conventional electrolytic copper plating methods. For example, the bath temperature is typically about room temperatures such as about 20 to 27° C., but may be at elevated temperatures up to about 40° C., or higher. The electrical current density is typically from about 0.2 A/dm² to about 6 A/dm², but may also be up to about 20 A/dm², such as about 10 A/dm². It is preferred to use an anode to cathode ratio of 1:1, but this may also vary widely from about 1:4 to about 4:1. The process also uses mixing in the electrolytic plating tank which may be supplied by agitation or preferably by the circulating flow of recycle electrolytic solution through the tank.

Copper deposited from the electrolytic deposition chemistry of the present invention comprising the above described leveler compounds is of high purity and density, is of high smoothness and flat surface topography.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention. While the leveler of present invention can be used in electroplating of metals such as copper, tin, nickel, zinc, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, and iridium, only electrolytic copper plating chemistries are described below.

Example 1 FIG. 2 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations:

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (50 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (100 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (50 ppm)     -   d. Compound D (20 ppm)

The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are summarized in Table II

TABLE I Bath compo- Concen- sition Components tration Unit Preparation VMS CuSO₄•5H₂O 200 g/L Calculated amount of (500 H₂SO₄ 100 g/L CuSO₄•5H₂O is dissolved ml) Cl⁻ 0-50 ppm with double distilled water, calculated amount of H₂SO₄ and HCl was then added slowly, the solution is then filtered and diluted to 1 L. 500 mL of the prepared solution was transferred to a beaker for subsequent use. Addi- Suppressor 1000  ppm The additives in solid form tives Leveler calcu- ppm are dissolved with double lated distilled water and diluted Accelerator  10 ppm to 50 ml, calculated amount of suppressor, leveler, and accelerator products are then

TABLE II Hull Cell Plating Conditions Current Plating duration Agitation (A) (min) (rpm) 3 2 Air agitation

Example 2 FIG. 3 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (50 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (100 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (50 ppm)     -   d. Compound D (20 ppm)     -   e. S24 (1000 ppm)

S24 was polyethyleneglycol. Any polyether molecule can be used, for example, polyethyleneglycol, blockcopolyether, etc. In the present disclosure, polyethyleneglycol was used. The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are summarized in Table II.

Example 3 FIG. 4, 21, 25, 29, 36 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (50 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (100 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (50 ppm)     -   d. Compound D (20 ppm)     -   e. S24 (1000 ppm)     -   f. A28 (10 ppm)

A28 was 3,3′-dithiobis-1-propanesulfonic acid disodium salt (SPS). Any suitable organic sodium salt can be used. In the present disclosure, SPS was used. The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are summarized in Table II (Hull cell) and Table III (wafer plating).

Example 4 FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22, 32 Comparative Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry

An electrolytic copper plating composition of a conventional system was prepared having the following components and concentrations

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (50 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (100 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (70 ppm)     -   d. Janus Green B (JGB, 30 ppm)

-   -   e. S24 (1000 ppm)     -   f. A28 (10 ppm)

The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are summarized in Table II (Hull cell) and Table III (wafer plating)

TABLE III Wafer Plating Conditions Target bump Plating area height Current density Agitation Temperature (cm²) (um) (ASD) (RPM) (° C.) 0.05 to 0.30 30 to 75 5 to 20 100 to 400 RT to 45

Example 5 FIGS. 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 23, 27 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (50 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (100 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (70 ppm)     -   d. Compound E (30 ppm)     -   e. S24 (1000 ppm)     -   f. A28 (10 ppm)         The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared         according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are         summarized in Table III.

Example 6 FIGS. 9,12,15,18, 21, and 25 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (50 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (100 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (5 ppm)     -   d. Compound F (20 ppm)     -   e. S24 (1000 ppm)     -   f. A28 (10 ppm)         The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared         according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are         summarized in Table III.

Example 7 FIGS. 39, 46, 48, 49, 50 and 51 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (50 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (100 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (50 ppm)     -   d. Compound F (10 ppm)     -   e. S24 (500 ppm)     -   f. A28 (10 ppm)         The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared         according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are         summarized in Table III.

Example 8 FIGS. 41 and 43 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations.

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (40 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (140 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (50 ppm)     -   d. Compound F (50 ppm)     -   e. S24 (100 ppm)     -   f. A28 (10 ppm)         The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared         according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are         summarized in Table III.

Example 9 FIGS. 44-51 Electrolytic Copper Deposition Chemistry of the Invention

An electrolytic copper plating composition of the invention was prepared having the following components and concentrations.

-   -   a. Copper ion from copper sulfate (40 g/L, Cu²⁺)     -   b. Sulfuric acid (140 g/L)     -   c. Chloride ion (50 ppm)     -   d. Compound F (2 ppm)     -   e. S24 (500 ppm)     -   f. A28 (10 ppm)         The electrolytic copper deposition chemistry was prepared         according to the instructions of Table I. Plating conditions are         summarized in Table III. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I), or a salt thereof:

wherein R¹ is O, S or N; R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl; Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; and L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is O.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are hydrogen.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is alkoxyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ and R⁴ are each independently C₁₋₆ alkyl.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is alkoxyl.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is ethoxyl.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein L is —(CH₂)_(m)— and wherein m is an integer.
 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein m is one or two.
 10. The compound has a structure selected from the group consisting of:


11. A leveling composition for electrodeposition of metals, comprising the compound of formula (I):

wherein R¹ is O, S or N; R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl; Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; and L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl.
 12. The composition of claim 11, further comprising an accelerator, and a suppressor.
 13. The composition of claim 11, further comprising a copper source.
 14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the copper source comprises copper methanesulfonate.
 15. The composition of claim 14, further comprising methanesulfonic acid.
 16. The composition of claim 13, wherein the copper source comprises copper sulfate.
 17. The composition of claim 16, further comprising sulfuric acid.
 18. The composition of claim 11, wherein Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are hydrogen.
 19. The composition of claim 11, wherein at least one of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is alkoxyl.
 20. The composition of claim 11, wherein R², R³ and R⁴ are each independently C₁₋₆ alkyl.
 21. The composition of claim 11, wherein R² is alkoxyl.
 22. The composition of claim 11, wherein R² is ethoxyl.
 23. The composition of claim 11, wherein R² is alkyl substituted with phenyl.
 24. The composition of claim 11, wherein R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl, m is an integer from 1-6.
 25. The composition of claim 11, wherein R² is —CH₂ phenyl.
 26. The composition of claim 11, wherein R² is —(CH₂)_(m)phenyl-OH, m is an integer from 1-12.
 27. The composition of claim 11, wherein R² is —CH₂phenylOH.
 28. A compound is of formula (II):

wherein R¹ is O, S or N; R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkylhydroxyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl; Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl; and X⁻ is selected from the group consisting of acetate, formate, oxalate, cyanide, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate, F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻.
 29. The compound of claim 29, wherein R¹ is O.
 30. The compound of claim 29, wherein X⁻ is Cl⁻ or Br⁻.
 31. A composition leveling composition for electrodeposition of metals, comprising the compound of claim
 29. 32. The composition of claim 31, further comprising an accelerator, and a suppressor.
 33. A method for depositing a metal onto a substrate, comprising: Contacting a substrate with an electrolytic metal deposition composition comprising a source of metal ions, and a leveler composition, wherein the leveler composition comprises a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof:

wherein R¹ is O, S or N; R² is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; R³ and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; or R³ and R⁴ may combine with an atom or atoms to which they are attached to form unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclic, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, or unsubstituted or substituted 5- to 12-membered heteroaryl; Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, Y⁵, Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₃₋₁₂cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂aryl, unsubstituted or substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclic, and unsubstituted or substituted 5-12 membered heteroaryl; and L is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and unsubstituted or substituted 3- to 12-membered heterocyclyl; and Applying an electrical current to the electrolytic deposition composition to deposit a metal onto the substrate.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the electrolytic metal deposition composition further comprises a suppressor.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the electrolytic metal deposition composition further comprises an accelerator.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the source of metal ions comprises copper or copper alloys.
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein copper sulfate is used as the metal source.
 38. The method of claim 33, wherein the substrate has a complicated geometry.
 39. The method of claim 33, wherein the substrate has a recess step. 